Koh Bon Liveaboard Diving

Hallelujah

from US$ 189 / daySELECT

9.2 "Superb"

ThailandUS$1,052 from

Explore the Similan Islands aboard the MV Hallelujah liveaboard. She is one of the most comfortable & largest dive liveaboards cruising the Andaman Sea from November - April. She has 13 en-suite cabins to cater to 25 guests

Hallelujah

The Junk

from US$ 143 / daySELECT

9.1 "Superb"

ThailandUS$287 from

The Junk underwent a renovation transform it into a 33m authentic sailing vessel to explore the best dive sites of the Thai Andaman Sea from November-April. She has 6 AC cabins with en-suite bathrooms

The Junk

Similan Explorer

from US$ 120 / daySELECT

9.0 "Fabulous"

ThailandUS$484 from

The MV Similan Explorer yacht has 8 cabins catering to 18 guests. Enjoy the Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock on a 5-night itinerary with experienced guides

Similan Explorer

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What To Expect On A Koh Bon Liveaboard

Liveaboards to Koh Bon take divers to this remote uninhabited limestone island in the shape of a horse shoe to the north of Similan Island no.9. As with Koh Tachai it is within speedboat distance of Khao Lak but unlike it, there are no beaches here so water entry is strictly from the boat only. This isolated island in the middle of the Andaman Sea is covered with forests and plants and poorly sheltered from the elements in bad weather. Koh Bon Ridge and Koh Bon Pinnacle are considered two of the best dive sites in Thailand. Marine life here is abundant and there is a manta ray cleaning station so high probability of seeing these majestic creatures. Not as popular a dive site as its surrounding partners in the Andaman Sea, it means this site can be a wonderfully quiet one to dive, a refreshing change in the busy season of April - May. Koh Bon offers a beautiful selection of marine life and diven responsibly is a great destination on your liveaboard journey.

What You Can See

The underwater terrain of Koh Bon Ridge, on the southwestern corner starts with a ridge that drops off to depths of up to 45m. A significant vertical drop, the wall here is covered in zig zag clams, anemones and soft corals, notice their variation and changing spectrum of colours the deeper you go. The wall is worth investigating closely for critters and makes a good first deep dive. Its bay is quite sheltered and with minimal current provides a good spot for night dives also. The western side of the ridge is covered in strikingly beautiful coral formations and seafans of different shapes and sizes and slopes down gently. These coral formations provide shelter for a varied marine life. On your liveaboard dive cruise it is common to see resting Leopard Sharks or nurse sharks on the sandy bottom as well as the common morays, triggerfish, lionfish and sweetlips. The banded sea snake, octopus, batfish and mantis shrimp, pipefish and the rare frogfish are exciting additions to these waters, albeit what all divers aim to witness is the gentle gliding of the Manta Ray, here to feed and be cleaned. A dive can sometimes just involve hanging around in one spot while these curious black and white majestic beings circle and hover over you, enjoying your bubbles, demonstrating the perfect buoyancy and then showing off their acrobatic skills.

Koh Bon Pinnacle, to the west, is more exposed, suitable for the experienced diver and suggested only in good conditions. With depths of 18-40m, the pinnacles jet out to around 25m high. With a mountainous look and feel, this small site is definitely far from boring. The reef's sloping wall is covered in yellow soft coral, hiding decorator crabs, moray eels and their cleaner shrimps and shrimp-gobies peering out of the holes. Look into the blue for passing eagle rays, black tip reef sharks or manta rays. The currents can be strong here and may attract Manta Rays as well.

Getting There

The best way to get to Koh Bon is on a Thailand liveaboard trip to the Surin Islands, which will depart from either Phuket or Khao Lak. Further from Phuket than from Khao Lak, (200 km north of Phuket and 80 km northwest of Khao Lak), it is worth checking what port you prefer to depart from. Khao Lak is about 100km north of Phuket and can be reached overland. Please check your itinerary before purchasing flight tickets. There are international flights into Phuket and / or domestic flights from Bangkok to Phuket. As part of the Similan Islands, the area is closed between the months of May to October.